Time Well Spent

Broch sent word to the NorthStar Dairy where Gaelle was staying that he would be picking her up at noon for the Attendant Services Certificate she had won and made use of. He was looking forward to the time spent for he found he always enjoyed her company. The way they teased each other always had him laughing later when he thought back on some of the conversations. She was enjoyable to be around. There was a great weight lifted from him as well after talking to his siblings-cousins, now feeling more siblings and would look upon it that way as they would of him. It had been the right thing to do, though for many months he had debated it all. Had he not, he'd sill feel that weight in a burden. He dressed up, casually still but with a doublet of dark blue over like tailored woolen pants. Fur lined boots were still worn as well the fur cloak to keep him warm. A horse drawn sleigh was rented, one of red with black trim as he more slid up the driveway to pull in front of the manor. A large basket was on the back seat with two wrapped up presents. Something standard he found that went with the time spent. He got to pick out which ones over a few selections. He was out from the carriage and up to the door to give the brass knocker two taps.

Gaelle always enjoyed spending time with Broch. Always. She was always left with warm thoughts or, quite often, humorous ones. She was excited about today and she found herself giddy with it. She made sure that she dressed warmly, even if it was a dress that she had chosen. Deep green, the velvet soft and shimmery. She left her hair down, long and wavy and dark against her back. She wanted to make sure they stayed warm, though she had no idea he'd rented a sleigh so it was a good thing, perhaps, that she had packed extra blankets into a dark bag that set on the floor, waiting by the door. When she heard the knock, she was quick to approach the door and open it fully, rather than just peeking through a small opening as she had the night they went to dinner. Her smile bloomed wide when she caught sight of him. "Broch, you made it. You look so nice today." She didn't have her cloak on yet, but she reached for it then draped it around her. "I packed blankets, will we need anyth--oh!" She swayed just so and happened to see around his broad frame, happened to see the sleigh. "A sleigh ride? This is going to be fun!" She flashed him a wide smile.

A big man, especially with wearing the fur cloak had him filling the area. "Aye, I bae rig't o' time." Which was something in and of itself for some. Burnished green eyes held that gleam in them that dipped down over her attire appreciatively, or was it the woman more within the pretty dress? Most likely the latter for he was not any fashion hound. He helped her with her cloak before offering the bend of his arm. Gentleman style. He would need be on his best behavior, curbing some but certainly not personality. "Aye, our c'ariot awaits us. T'ere bae blankets 'n t'e back bout never 'urts tae 'ave more." Especially since it wasn't enclosed. Luckily the day was a brighter one with few clouds in the sky and a wintry sun to shine down on them with little warmth. He was pleased to see her smile. So far, so good, this was the first time for him to do such a Service. Once her hand was on his arm, he led her out to the sleigh and helped her in then around to get the other side, having decided to drive the sleigh himself.

"I'll bring them then." And she picked up the bag easily with her left hand, her right taking his offered arm. And of course she was all smiles. She had no reason not to be. She shut the door carefully behind her then walked with him to the sleigh. In this time, she looked over it closely. Then she knocked a glance to the horses. "We're lucky. It isn't cloudy and there isn't a blizzard. Maybe today will be perfect after all." She teased him, glancing to the sky as she climbed into the sleigh to settle down. The bag in her hand, she set beside her. And she didn't see, yet, the two boxes wrapped in the back. Even with the way she swept her eyes over the sleigh so carefully before. She reached into the bag to pull out her gloves, nearly forgetting them. These, she quickly put on.

It was a matched pair of dapple greys hooked up to the sleigh. Ones bred for such purposes as well beauty. Sleek yet strong horses that were sure footed as well. "Aye," giving a squinted eye glance up to the sky then dropping to the more cloudy horizon before back upon her. "It mig't snow bout I din t'ink it will bae any blizzard." That would end their time out if the weather so changed but he had alternative places to go in such a case. "Guid yea broug't yea gloves tae." Giving her a wink with a low rumble of a chuckle as he reached back to pull up the thick woolen blanket from the back seat, arm up, over and down behind her and back near the same. Though he didn't have it drag over her head. This one would start as he folded over her lap as well his, it was big enough and they could add more if the cold seeped in. Once all set, he took up the reins giving them a little slap over the horses flanks as well a click under his tongue. The pair were quickly responsive as the slight jerk of the sleigh herald a smoother forward motion. He set them to a leisurely trot as they headed out of the Dairy lands and onto the main road.

"I came very prepared." She flexed her fingers with a grin after the gloves were on but froze in surprise when he somewhat wrapped her up. It was a sweet gesture, to her and she bubbled out a quiet laugh. "Thank you." Her hands settled against her lap and she too, found herself watching the horizon--at least in the direction they were heading. "Will you let me try to drive this thing?" She asked. If Broch were a wise man, and everyone knew that he was, he'd smartly tell her no--unless he wanted to see if it were possible to jump canyons, ditches, large gaping holes or the like with a sleigh. She glanced from the horizon to him. "Do you want another blanket?" She didn't want him too cold, after all.

"Aye, iffin yea bae want'in tae o' t'e way back." He wanted to make sure they got where they were going first for a sight he felt she would appreciate. Unfortunately he had no clue he'd be in for the ride of his life. What was life without adventures? Even if heart pounding ones that had one's life or lives flash before their eyes? He had half of that blanket over his lap that was over hers as well. "I bae fine fir now." Giving her a side wink before focus was on where they were going. More that he had to look for the smaller trail that led off the main one. Kind that you could easily pass if not paying attention. They had gone past the lake which could be seen spread out a distance through the barren trees that would obscure it in summer. If one look closely they could make out the tiny moving spots of skaters on the frozen lake. Quite a few children of all ages for this time of the day. A flock of wild turkeys flew across the road in front of them, the hens squawking in protest in front of the horses hooves. The horses didn't seem to be fazed and kept their steady pace. That was until just after passing the flock he slowed them to turn off a trail that led down the same side as the lake but much further down. He kept the pair at a slower pace as it wasn't as well packed as the main road. Deer looked up from a more open area in the woods then leaped away for the sight.

She'd always had a deep fondness for nature. Perhaps due to growing up having nothing, in a village that lacked visual appeal had a hand in that. It was obvious she held a deep appreciation for what she could see, if only for the fact she'd grown momentarily distracted. She was so focused on trying to watch the skaters that the turkeys startled her some and she let out a squawking sound of surprise, much like the hens! Snickering into her palm, she watched them all until they were going down another path, a smaller path. Her brow hitched up curiously and she looked aside to Broch. "You're not going to get us lost, are you?" Of course she was teasing. She trusted him fully, completely. She was distracted by the loping deer and her attention swept in that direction. She tried to count them as they fled, but she gave that game up too easily. She wasn't sure if she was imagining things, but she noted that Broch was a little quiet today. This brought her gaze back to him. "Are you all right?" She thought to ask.

The sound of her squawk had a side dipping glance given her way once she settled. "Yea bae lucky one o' 'em ol' Toms didn't come after yea tae sweep away as 'is mate." A glint sparked in green eyes with her next question. "Nae bae o' purpose. Yea cannot bae lost o' purpose." Which he didn't really answer her question but teased back in the same light it was asked. There was probably at least a dozen deer with a few of them only yearlings. Standing there one second then all one saw was the bobbing white tails held like a flag for the few moments and then they were gone. There were birds about. Red cardinals and bluejays the more colorful of the lot. A few big black buzzard types scavenging on a carcass alongside the road that flew off once they approached. Squirrels dashing along limbs like a spidery network going from tree to tree. Some seemed to follow them for a distance making a chirping sound a little different from the birds if one had the training to tell. The trail wound its way down near the lake in an area that was vacant for the more popular one much further down. A beaver was waddling along the ice and soon dipped away where there was a break and into the icy water beneath. They were soon asending up the sloping side of a foothill moving up between trees and firs.

"That would have been an abrupt end to our day." She laughed, imagining herself being swept off by a bunch of turkeys. Her laughter faded and she found herself drawn back into the scenery. She did note that he didn't answer her last question. Perhaps he was too focused on making sure that they didn't get lost! She hardly noticed the way her breath clouded the air from the chill. She seemed to content on other things. Winter may not show much color in the way of flowers or green grass, but it certainly had a peaceful quality to it. "Oh, I get it--you're actually kidnapping me and trying to be all slick about it, aren't you?" She had no clue where they were! And she was only teasing him with the last--only because she thought of how he pretended to be sneaking her off the night they went to Sibio's. Her shoulders trembled with a quiet sound of a giggle. She wasn't watching him, though -- something else had caught her eye. She pointed out a red fox skittering away from them, a smile lighting up her eyes.

He eyed the red fox who eyed them back before dashing off in a different direction. The area became more rugged with large boulders the trees grew around, the ground steeper until leveling off some. It was here he pulled the sleigh to a stop. "Aye, yea bae find'in mae out. Would yea bae lik'in tae stretc' yea legs a bit and follow mae?" Though posed as a question he was out and around to lend her a hand in getting out as well. Instead of leaving the wool blanket in the sleigh, he slid it off the seat and up and around her. He collected the basket, slipping the two wrapped packages inside out of sight. Something he realized he'd forgotten to do. The handle slipped over a forearm as the other was offered to her. "Yea 'ang o' tig't, Gaelle." Leaving her to wonder just what he might be up to.

She was oh so curious now--very curious. She slid out of the sleigh with his help, her cloak tugged around her. She found the boulders only a little intimidating. But there was a reason behind that, one she wouldn't mention now. She lightly took his arm, then made her grip a little more firm as they began to walk. Climb? Exploring was one of the things she'd always loved to do and she took this little trip as just that. "Do you need help with the basket?" Asking him with a little grin. She didn't see what he was hiding, of course. She kept the blanket trapped in the fingers of her free hand to keep it from flying off of her. "And I'm growing ever, ever curious of what you've got up you're sleeve, Broch Cunningham. Where you're taking us.." She laughed again, a delightful sound. It wasn't too loud and seemed to carry like a melody.

He noticed the look, that fleeing suspicious one that bordered on fear. "Yea bae safe wit' mae." Words low and serious for a change from the usual teasing. "I'd nae let anyt'ing 'appen tae yea." They would not be ascending but descending this part as he led her around to the other side of the sleigh to a path that had been made. Obviously someone, even him, had been this way already. The path would lead down amongst boulders and pines, ones that obscured where he was taking her until some very large ones were passed and the scene before them opened up. He went slow so neither slipped, though it wasn't icy only packed snow. More trampled down. "I bae fine," meaning with the basket that was tucked to his other side as if not even there. Stopping short of where they would end up so she could take in the view. There was a frozen waterfall down the opposite side where a mountain climbed up a few miles, ledges of rock it flowed down when not frozen to a pool below, one that then led off into a stream that fed the CrystalBlue lake. The lake not being seen at this point for the distance. The side they were on leveled off to the edge of the pool. Here too it had been cleared and a canopy shelter constructed. One with a picnic table beneath and one bench on the opposite side that would have any that made use of it seeing the landscape before them.

"I know, I trust you." Replied to his serious words, the low tone that had her sending him a warm smile. She took the downward path with grace, hardly slipping, which might be a surprise to him. It might not. When he stopped, she stopped at his side and her eyes gave a quick blink of surprise. Her mouth opened, too, but there weren't any words. She sort of strayed from his side, drawn by what she saw. It was a beautiful place, a perfect place. She found herself imagining what the waterfall could be like in the spring, the summer. "This is.. so.. pretty. How did you find this place?" She sent him a brief squint of her copper eyes, a smile hooking up the corners of her mouth. She tip toed to the edge of the pool itself, just for a peek then her gaze traveled up the mountain, to the very top of it. "Do avalanches happen often here?" She asked, seemingly out of the blue. She turned around slowly, pulling the blanket, her cloak around her as she started back towards him.

-c-

It pleased him that she trusted him. Such a far cry from a different life many years ago at this point. Something he never thought he'd hear and rightfully so back then. He watched the pleasure upon her features, satisfaction followed in his. "It bae one o' many places bout I felt t'is one bae guid to see t'is day." He found out from Alex and others about. Especially his brother Logan as he indicated the cliffs rising up near sheer at some points especially near the top. "Mae brot'er Logan scales t'ese 'n t'e spring and summer." So that was how he found out about this particular place. She would find him quick at her side just before an icy spot was reached before she slipped. Strong gloved hand under her upper arm as he guided her to the canopy area. "Yea bae careful o' yea bae out on t'e ice sliding on yea rump." It was solid from what he tested already. "It bae possible 'n blizzards bout t'ere nae bae enoug' snow yet." This mountain wasn't as high as some more north along the Northern Tier of these lands and those as high in the upper parts of Tyremoor and Ballicastle. Once under the canopy, he set the basket down on the table, one that had a tablecloth on it of a fine linen; like they had in Sibio's Bistro. Fancy. He opened up the basket to first take out a bottle of champagne and two crystal glasses to pour each some in. Once that was accomplished and the bottle set aside, he drew out the two packages setting over the cloth covered food. The scent of sauteed chicken strips, carrot sticks, bread and apple pie could be taken in. The wrapped packages were indicated, "t'ese bae fir yea, compliments o' t'e Attendant Services." Which she could open at any time.

Her eyes went doe wide when he was oh so suddenly at her side. She hadn't seen the ice until he pointed it out. "I'm an accident waiting to happen today, aren't I? First the turkeys, now ice." She eyed the mountain again, surprised that Logan scaled them. "Is he part monkey?" She whispered it, as if Logan might be around somewhere. She was at his side as they went to the table, watching him as he unpacked the basket. She was surprised when the two gifts came into view. And she wasn't aware that she was hungry until she smelled the food. "You came quite prepared, didn't you? Thank you.." Politely. She, of course, decided to open the gifts right then--though they could have probably waited. "You never answered me earlier.." That was bothering her to no end! She wasn't sure why. "I asked if you were all right.." Trailing a look to him as she unwrapped the gifts.

"Aye, mae brot'er 'as been accused o' souch. Part monkey, bird and bear. Logan bae train'in Mic'ael as well, t'ey 'ave done such 'n t'eir bounty 'unting tae get tae t'e one." In a nutshell. Logan was the most outdoorsman of the three males. Although they all had a certain affinity for nature. "Aye," enough said as she opened up the presents and he filled up their plates to set while she did. He was efficient as well. He must have missed the earlier question, "I bae fine?" Curious glint in burnished green eyes her way, wondering why she asked.

"You were quiet earlier, I was wondering.." She explained to him, noting the curiosity within his eyes. She smiled down at the gifts. "Thank you very much. I needed a saddle bag." And the candy? It was hard for her not to skip over the food he brought just to dig into the candy. "Do you bounty hunt with them?" She realized that she didn't know much about Broch, not his personal life. Some things, yes, but she was curious about the rest of him! Still, the blanket was around her, along with her cloak. She found that she wasn't really that cold.

He could have chosen jewelry but he'd given her a few pieces already and the saddlebag was practical this time around. Obviously he knew she needed one and it was well made. "Yea bae very welcome." Smile tucked within the trim beard as he took up a seat on the bench. "I get quiet now and again." Words low as he was admitting to a serious side. "I may bae 'elping mae brot'ers out wit' t'e bounty 'unting. More sae I can keep 'em safe." He was head of the family and one of his biggest duties was keeping his family safe. His two younger brothers had chosen a dangerous profession or in the least could be. They were very good. "I bae 'aving t'e skills. Back 'n Eire t'ere were many clan wars. One really bad one 'ad us separated fir many years, eac' t'inking t'e ot'ers dead but t'e were nae." A long story but would suffice presently in a nutshell. They obviously found each other in time. He was hungry so took the moment to devour his food, alternating with the champagne.

She hadn't seen the serious side of him all that much. Not that it was unpleasant. It wasn't. She listened to him intently, watching him as she settled down, too, to eat. The mention of wars nearly had her frowning, though it was the mention of being separating so long from his family that brought the frown out. "That had to be a tough time for you all. I don't see how you all handled it. I'm not sure how I would react if I'd thought I'd lost everyone in my family at once.." It was a horrifying thought. "I'm glad all is well, though. You have a wonderful family, Broch." She had been lucky to meet Laura, Logan and Michael. She thought highly of all of them. She fell thoughtful, quiet for a moment while she ate.

"Aye, it bae a 'ard time fir us all and now we are very pleased tae bae a family again. We 'ave named our Manor, Teaghlach, whic' bae Gaelic fir Family." She might noticed he pronounced the 'h' in the Gaelic word." Having finished his plate for his appetite, he set out the pieces of pie. It had been a horrifying nightmare for them as he had been privy for lingering memories. He knew firsthand what loss was like nonetheless. "W'at o' yea family?" Sitting back with the smaller plate as he enjoyed Hazel's famous apple pie. Focus was on her. They had not really had any serious talks for all their natural teasing of each other. This seemed more the place and time to take advantage of that other side they both possessed.

Her chewing slowed, even paused when he spoke the Gaelic word. After swallowing, she grinned. "It's a perfect name. I keep forgetting to bug you to teach me Gaelic. Though, it sounds quite difficult." She hated the thought of butchering other languages. She pushed her plate aside for another. She helped herself to some of the apple pie. "My family? Oh, well, I'm the youngest. They're all still in the village, though it seems they've taken my lead and have started their own little journeys here and there. Well, you've met my father.." She was still surprised about that visit. "We've always been close, all of us. My brothers are married, one recently wed. My sister had been married before, but she lost her husband in one of the raids." She pursed her lips. "Oh, I have one sister, two brothers. I don't know if I had told you that before.." She couldn't recall.

"Per'aps yea can learn words o'er time w'en keep'in mae company." An easy way to learn words along the way and probably remembered better when in use, not like learning in a class. "Aye, I bae 'aving met yea fat'er. I've not seen 'im about 'n a w'ile." So he had wondered if the man was doing fine and maybe even more, things between them. There had been friction. "Sae yea 'ave a guid family life." This pleased him for many never found family lost or the rapport was volatile. "I din recall iffin you 'ad." She may have and may not have. They had really not spoken on family much to start. "Yea work'in fir t'e Clearys bae going guid still tae?"

Which, this reminded her of something.. She remembered the mention of them talking in the past, when he noted something had bothered her; the friction for instance. She never had the chance to tell him what had bothered her so. "I'd like to think I do. I've been sending them money.." She trailed off thoughtfully, taking a bite of her pie. After she swallowed the bite, she nodded, smiling his way. "Yes, I love working there. They are such nice people. And they love each other very much. The children are .. just beautiful." Her smile was a warm one, and her gaze ducked downward to the pie. She took another bite. It was good stuff! "Oh, and my father is doing well. Last I heard." She added.

"Yea bae earning guid money." Which was very good of her to send some to her family in helping out. "I 'ad been worried o'er t'e friction between yea and yir fat'er." Bringing out that which he had noticed, well, not only him but others. They liked her and were concerned. The statement was in such a way it didn't need a response. He would not pry where she might not want ones to. Obviously he didn't for not even bringing it up at the time. Just seemed to be a time to mention the concern. "Guid tae 'ear o' yea fat'er. Sae, yea bae lik'in bairns tae take care o' and 'old." That too was a statement.

She didn't quite look up. There had been friction, she remembered it well. She nodded gently and she seemed rather hesitant on explaining. "He.. we.." Her lips pursed and she set her fork down. "Two things. One, he caught me somewhere I should not have been. Another, the band of raiders that seem to like to.. take advantage of our village, the man over them all was looking for a wife. My father offered my name. That was the main cause to the  ..friction.." She settled her hands against her lap and grew quiet. Nearly brooding but there was a slow smile for his last. "Yes, I do," she admitted. She did love taking care of babies, holding them. Maybe, maybe one day she'll have her own. She'd not put too much thought into that, however.

"We all get caug't 'n places we s'ould not bae. Bout t'at also means t'e one cact'ing bae t'ere tae." The second part had him frowning. Big time. It was really hard for him to wrap his mind around a father who would offer his daughter up like a sacrifice to a plundering, obviously womanizing male who would use her until tired and onto the next flight of fancy. Keeping one as a wife or not. "T'ere bae a reason he'd dae souch a t'ing?" He usually didn't butt in on such matters but couldn't help it here for a few reasons. Basic one, he cared. He was also hoping there was a very good explanation for he actually liked her father otherwise.

"Yes, there was a reason; one that I didn't believe would happen. It would have been all a political thing, if you could even call it that. They promised protection from others, the main thing. I think that is what had him hooked. It's a small village. And the only reason it's called that is because there are a few families there that's not related to us. If they wanted, these raiders, if they really wanted they could easily wipe that area clean and no one would even know people once lived there.." She trailed off again. She was watching him; his reaction to her news, to the things she'd kept to herself and she thought with good reason. The offer had been quite humiliating to her. "So, do you think differently of my father now?" She wouldn't blame him if he did. This offer set a deep rift between him and her mother, or so she'd heard.

"Aye," he could understand the thinking on it even if he didn't agree with the tactic. In his experience, such ways never worked out well in the long run. Sacrifice the one for the good of the whole. Sacrificing at all wasn't good though. "I bae offer'in mae services if yea village," obviously not one in these lands, "bae still 'aving trouble wit' 'em. Mae and mae brot'ers," more if needed. He was friends with a few as well his brothers. They could bring in a force that would have the raiders avoiding them afterwards. "I bae t'inking yea fat'er felt 'e didn't 'ave any ot'er option." Now he would if needed. It was also getting late as the clouds that had been on the horizon now blocked any of the earlier sunlight. A few deer moved along the shore across the frozen pool, looking for a spot where the ice was broken enough for them to get a drink. Snow was starting to drift down, those big thick flakes that would grow more dense soon. He put away the remains of their food, finished off the bottle by pouring the last into their glasses. Which he proceeded to drink his down before putting the glass into the basket. He would wait on her, she didn't have to all but kick it back. They were not that rushed but time to head back.

He probably didn't realize how much his offer meant to her. She was stunned by it. She stared at him for a long, silent moment. Even as he packed everything away. "You'd.. offer to put your life on the line.. for us? For me?" She finished the champagne off pretty quickly. Perhaps from the shock or she was perhaps quite thirsty. She rose up to, to help him with anything else--if anything else was to be helped with. She didn't say anything else, she only was making sure he realized what he was offering.

"Aye," there was no hesitation in the answer nor had there been in the offer. He knew his brothers would help as well and could speak for them. They were a warring clan and she would find, if it came down to it, what a formable force he was in one against many even by himself. He thought on one friend that could lend a quality that would put the fear of god in the raiders to never bother them again. One of the four horsemen. Smile finally surfaced as burnished green eyes settled her way again. Once the basket was packed and he placed her gifts in it for the trip back, he slid it over his arm before offering his other. "S'all we stroll along t'e s'ore, nae too close, o' our way back?"

She didn't say anything to his first. She couldn't. Grateful, though, and this was shone in her eyes. They had that misty quality to them that he'd seen a few times by now. She took his arm gently and she nodded. "Yes, though not too close. I'd hate for one of us to slip. It would be an awful way to end such a nice day, don't you think?" Nice, even if she had opened up on something she'd nearly chosen to keep from him completely. "I've had a wonderful time. Thank you. And I'm very glad that I had picked you."

"Aye, I mig't end up atop and squis' yea," teasing her in the lighthearted way to hopefully clear that misty eyed look away. By the time the leisurely walk was done, the snow would be heavier while carefully guided her up the trail and back to the sleigh. The ride back as well a careful pace set to the horses until the main road where they would end up in a trot to take them back to NorthStar.

 -e-